High-end Windows phones: Lumia 950 vs. Liquid Jade Primo

A year and so after the release of Windows 10 operating system and the subsequent launch of Windows 10 Mobile for mobile devices, the tech giant Microsoft has proven capable of delivering a robust software for developers and manufacturers alike.

Windows released its anniversary update recently, and it brought a lot of security benefits to the users. While is true that the company is not centered on the mobile market, it is also a fact that the anniversary update made Windows 10 one of the safest OS in the market.

Out of the several OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) who work in close collaboration with Microsoft and its mobile operating system, there are two that stand out. Today, the December-released Microsoft Lumia 950 (and 950 XL) and the Acer Liquid Jade Primo, released back in April, are at the top of the list of best Windows Phone devices.

Screen size and resolution

Side to side, there is a slight difference between the Lumia 950 and the Liquid Jade Primo regarding size. The Acer handset measures a little more than 6 inches tall and the Microsoft-developed device stands at 5.7 and 6 inches for the 950 and 950 XL respectively.

However, the XL version of the Lumia 950 makes justice to its XL moniker with a 5.7-inch screen that surpasses the 5.5 inches featured on the Primo (5.2 on the regular 950). Moreover, the resolution in both Lumia models is higher than the one in Acer’s device, offering 2560 x 1440 pixels on an AMOLED display in contrast to a standard 1920 x 1080.

Also, the Lumia is available in both black and white versions, while the Liquid Jade Primo comes just in standard black.

Specs

Both Microsoft and Acer’s smartphones run on Windows 10 Mobile, the latest iteration of the mobile operating system. While all three devices count with 3 GB of RAM, their processing power differs between the Primo and the 950 XL.

Acer’s handset sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 like the Lumia 950, but the XL goes bigger again with a Snapdragon 810. All devices have a starting internal storage space of 32 GB, and while they both have an expansion capability up to 256 GB with a microSD card, the Liquid Jade Primo uses its second SIM slot while the Lumias have a dedicated slot.

A non-removable 2800 mAh lithium-ion battery powers the Acer Liquid Jade Primo, easily bested by the removable 3000 and 3300 mAh batteries featured on the 950 and 950 XL respectively.

Continuum transforms Windows Phones into mini desktop computers

Both devices sport powerful cameras, but the smartphone by Acer reigns supreme in that department with a 21 MP rear camera and 8 MP in the front, in contrast with Microsoft’s 20 MP and 5 MP.

The Lumia 950 and the Liquid Jade Primo both support Continuum, the multitasking software that transforms Windows Phones into near computer-like devices compatible with desktop computers running Windows 10.

However, the Acer Liquid Jade Primo is not available in the U.S. yet, and it costs £449, or roughly $499. The price tag on the Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL is lower, at $399 and $449 unlocked from the official manufacturer ($299 for the 950 with AT&T in America starting today!).